Important Contacts for Grandparents and Others Raising Grandchildren in the State of Illinois…
Help is available in many forms although the entry point for services can often be confusing. The following are resources to help along the journey.
If you are, or know of, a relative raising children, you are part of a growing population. In Illinois, 213,265 children under the age of 18 are living in a grandparent-headed home. 75,000 children under the age of 18 are living with other relatives. 101,317 grandparents are directly responsible for the care of their grandchildren. It can happen to anyone, at any time, for any reason. Several agencies provide resources to help you or the child you are raising.
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Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
http://www.state.il.us/dcfs
Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-25-ABUSE, 1-800-252-2873, 1-800-358-5117 (TTY)
Report suspected child abuse and neglect. Receive extended family support program services, including private guardianship, medical cards, and financial assistance. Ask questions about DCFS programs and services.
DCFS Advocacy Office for Children and Families
1-800-232-3798
Questions, problems or concerns regarding child welfare issues, including Post Adoption and Subsidized Guardianship services.
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State of Illinois, Department on Aging
http://www.state.il.us/aging
421 East Capital Avenue., #100, Springfield, IL 62701-1789
Senior HelpLine: 1-800-252-8966, 1-888-206-1327 (TTY)
Support groups, prescription drug assistance, referrals for counseling, financial and legal assistance, adult and child care, advocacy for school enrollment, special education and visitation. The Illinois Department on Aging does not discriminate in admission to programs or treatment of employment in compliance with appropriate State and Federal statutes. If you feel you have been discriminated against, call the Senior HelpLine.
Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-866-800-1409, 1-888-206-1327 (TTY)
To report suspected elder abuse/neglect
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Illinois Department of Public Health
http://www.idph.state.il.us
1-800-526-4372, 1-888-547-0466 (TTY)
Immunizations: 1-800-526-4372
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Senior Services Area Agency on Aging, Chicago Department of Family and Support Services
http://www.cityofchicago.org/aging
1-312-744-4016, 1-312-744-6777 (TTY)
Support groups, counseling, legal counseling, information and assistance, respite and short-term emergency assistance. 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. After hours and weekends use Chicago non-emergency number: 311
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Illinois Department of Human Services
http://www.dhs.state.il.us
1-800-843-6154, 1-800-447-6404 (TTY)
Financial assistance, medical card, child care, food stamps, information and referral, and Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
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Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
http://www.hfs.illinois.gov
All Kids: http://www.allkids.com 1-866-255-5437, 1-877-204-1012 (TTY)
Child Support: http://www.ilchildsupport.com 1-800-447-4278, 1-800-526-5812 (TTY)
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Illinois State Board of Education
http://www.isbe.state.il.us
1-866-262-6663
School enrollment and special education issues
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State of Illinois Extended Family Support Program
State of Illinois Central Registry (SCR)/Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1800-25-ABUSE or 217-524-2606.
Llame al Registro Central del Estado (SCR)/Linea Directa para Reportar Negligencia y Abuso de Ninos, 1-800252-2873 o 1-217-524-2606.
For Cook County residents with general questions about the program contact Extended Family Support Program Director Debra Melin at 773-777-7112, ext. 7365 or the Assistant Coordinator America Campos at ext. 7363.
Para residentes del Condado de Cook con preguntas generales sobre el programa, por favor de comunicarse con la Asistente del Programa, America Campos, al numero 773-777-7112 a la Extension 7363.
The Extended Family Support Program is a statewide (Illinois) program that supports caregivers who are caring for related children outside the formal child welfare system. This intensive short-term program allows children to live with family members without becoming involved with the child welfare system and offers caregivers support and services when they unexpectedly assume responsibility for related children.
It is estimated that over 100,000 relatives in Illinois are provided care for related children without support from the formal child welfare system. Many of these caregivers are able to rely on family and community supports to provide care. Caregivers who contact the Extended Family Support Program are provided a variety of support and information in order to continue caring for the related children.
A family receives assistance from a caseworker for three months. The caseworker will assist the family in identifying the needs that must be met in order for the children to have a table living environment. The caseworker helps meet these needs by providing: 1. Assistance in obtaining guardianship through probate court and in applying for a public aid grant; 2. School advocacy; 3. Limited financial assistance per family for bedding, food, uniforms, and/or other appropriate services to stabilize the home; and, 4. Accessing community resources and services as needed per family.
Any relative caring for a related child who is not their own biological child and meets the following criteria is eligible for the Extended Family Support Program: 1. The child or children have been living with the relative caregiver 15 or more days and the caregiver is willing to continue to care for the child(ren); 2. The relative caregiver meets the Department of Children and Family Services definition of a “relative;” 3. The family requires assistance processing public aid and guardianship applications; 4. The child does not have protective issues, and does not have an open or pending case with DCFS; and, 5. The relative caregiver is providing the majority of the care giving responsibilities.
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Information from Illinois publication IL-402-1122, IISG 1138-09 (Rev. 7/09 – 5M, 11/08) and other sources. Updated online May 2010.
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